7/2/23

You may have noticed a new mural that’s nearing completion on the MODdisplays building in downtown Harrisonburg.

The artist behind it is the Friendly City’s own Laura Thompson, who received 15-thousand dollars to fund her project through a new grant program entitled the Public Art Forward Grant.

The money is routed through the Arts Council of the Valley. Executive director Jenny Burden says the idea behind the grant began with the findings in last year’s Downtown 2040 plan.

The program is named for the Forward family, who agreed to pony up 15-thousand dollars for the next three years to fund downtown art projects.